Russell C. Benjamin Jr., 70

Russell C.

Benjamin Jr.,

70, of 45 Pemberton Ave., died Sept. 25, 2009.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he was the only child of the late Russell and Florence (Knecht) Benjamin.

Benjamin graduated from EL Meyers High School in Wilkes- Barre and Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. He also attended graduate schools at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to retiring and moving to R.I., he had been a caseworker for the Pennsylvania Dept. of Welfare for 13 years, working out of the Luzerne County Assistance Office. He had also worked as a teacher in public and private schools in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He directed several flood recovery projects for the Luzerne County, Pa. Redevelopment Authority following the 1972 Agnes flood.

Benjamin was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a graduate of the Adjutant General School, Fort Harrison, Ind. He served as the secretary to the Commanding Officer, Minneapolis-St. Paul Ari Defense Command (ARADCOM).

During his time in Jamestown, he had been employed by Bridges Inc. and the Preservation Society of Newport County.

He is survived by his seven children, Margaret of San Antonio, Texas; Jennifer of Lawrence, Mass.; Christopher of Portsmouth, N.H.; Russell and his fiancée, Marcie DiFranco, of West Warwick, R.I.; Mary and her husband, Derek Affonce, also of West Warwick; Heather of Brookline, Mass.; and Claire of Newburyport, Mass. His former wife, Mary Walsh Benjamin, predeceased him.

His funeral was held yesterday. Burial with military honors was in the R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. For online guestbook visit www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome. com.